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Have additional questions about OSHA acceptance letters? Contact Us!
There is currently an attempt by certain companies to mislead businesses and consumers by stating that OSHA issues an "acceptance letter" for those who provide OSHA HAZWOPER training. There is also a misguided attempt by those same companies to try to deceive people – stating that if a training provider does not have this letter, they cannot offer HAZWOPER training online.
This is nothing more than a deceptive and misleading tactic used by desperate companies who do not deserve your business.
Here is what OSHA says about those who provide HAZWOPER training.
The "Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response" standard (HAZWOPER), 29 CFR 1910.120, states in paragraph (e)(5) that "Trainers shall be qualified to instruct employees about the subject matter that is being presented in training". In addition, 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(5) explains that the qualifications of the instructors may be shown by academic degrees, completed training courses and/or work experience.
At this time, OSHA does not have any specific requirements to certify an instructor. The subjects that trainers should be able to convey to employees at hazardous waste operations who need training are summarized in paragraphs (e), (p) and (q) of the HAZWOPER standard.
If anyone tells you that they have an "OSHA acceptance letter," read it carefully. ASK THEM TO SEE IT LIVE ON THE OSHA WEBSITE! (OSHA posts such letters on their site.) Do not be confused with letters that are issued to companies allowing them to conduct HAZWOPER training online only because OSHA said they couldn't previously.
We know of at least one letter that OSHA had to issue to a company that said that their training was "acceptable."
But this was only because OSHA had previously went on record and said their training was not acceptable.
So, because originally OSHA went on the record to say their training OSHA later followed up and graciously went on record correcting themselves. This only occurred after the company inquired about what OSHA had said on record and raised concerns about their training NOT being in compliance.
We do not blame that company for approaching OSHA and applaud OSHA for making the correction. We could only imagine that OSHA going on record saying their training was not in compliance was very detrimental to their business.
Not often, but occasionally, we get contacted by people asking to see our "OSHA acceptance letter," since, as explained above, they have been misled to believe that we cannot offer HAZWOPER training online without it..
Remember, desperate times call for desperate measures.
First, OSHA does not issue acceptance letters to all online providers. They only have done this to those who need them, such as was the case for at least one company that OSHA went on record telling them their training was "not in compliance."
Second, remember what OSHA said above about who can provide HAZWOPER training. The majority of training providers (and there are many reputable ones out there) do not have "OSHA acceptance letters" because they do not need them.
The truth is there is no such thing as an "OSHA acceptance letter" when it comes to OSHA HAZWOPER training. There is no such process for OSHA to issue these type of letters.
Most of the people who we speak to us about this appreciate finding out the truth and are bothered by the deceptive tactics that others employ. Again, ask yourself this question: Would you trust anyone trying to mislead you? If the answer is no, we applaud you for making a good decision.
Whether you use our services or not, it is okay; just know the truth when making your decision.
Here is an OSHA Interpretation Letter that also addresses this topic.